Relationships and Sexuality

The school has a responsibility to put in place an R.S.E. policy as part of the wider, Social, Personal + Health Education strand of the curriculum. The process was initiated in September 2007 when Killina Girls School and Rahan Boys School amalgamated.

Rationale

The need for this policy arises from our schools obligation to provide for all the needs of the student body and respond appropriately to sensitive and emotive issues relating to emerging sexuality.

Aims

a) To enhance the personal development, well being and self-esteem of each child.

b) To enable each child to gain an understanding of and respect for human love, reproduction and sexual activity in a sensitive and measured way.

c) To enable the child develop healthy friendships and relationships.

Relationships to School Ethos

The school ethos affirms and supports close links between school and home. The parent body is very supportive of the staff's efforts in implementing the RSE programme. Parents were sent a letter outlining what programmes we intended to follow and asking whether they wanted RSE taught to their children. The overwhelming majority opted to have RSE taught within the school. Parents also have the right to withhold their children from participating in R.S.E classes.

Growing and Changing - The stages of development of a baby from conception to birth (Middle Classes). Understanding sexual relations within the context of a committed loving relationship (Senior Classes).

Teachers do not cover topics such as contraception and same sex friendships. Children who ask questions in class on content outside the curriculum are talked to individually and discreetly. Parents are usually informed and asked to talk to their child.

Methodology

Circle time is used extensively in Junior Classes to build confidence and address fears. Boys and girls are taught together in all classes. Senior pupils are treated in a mature way and are encouraged to discuss issues that arise with their parents. The Alive O 8 resource materials are used extensively in Senior Classes.

The Stay Safe and Walk Tall programmes.The Stay Safe programme is taught in all classes. Aspects of the programme such as bullying are revised in all classes.Guest speakers from Accord can be invited to deliver a full day programme to Senior Classes every year where issues such as physical and emotional development, bodily changes and sexual awakening are explored. This can only be done with the consent of the child's parents. The cost of the lectures is borne by the parents.

Parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children in sexual matters. The school R.S.E. programme acts as a support only to parents, and parents retain the right to withdraw their children from classes. The programme is taught within the ethos of the school and contemporary issues/topics are dealt with by the teacher at a level appropriate to the age and stage of development of pupils within a moral and spiritual framework. Teachers are present at all times when guest speakers are visiting a class.

Child Protection

The school follows the D.E.S. child protection guidelines and has a Child Protection policy with the Principal as Designated Liaison Person. In cases of disclosure; the D.L.P. will follow the procedures as set out in Children First. The Designated Liaison Person for the school is Emmett Breathnach.

Teacher Choice/Staff Development

The teacher's right to choose is enshrined in the policy and if teachers do not wish to teach specific aspects of the programme or require additional resources, a suitable speaker will be employed by the B.O.M... The teacher may need to plan the specific material to be covered and should be present during the talk.

All/ some of the staff has availed of training in:-

" The Child House Prevention Programme (Stay Safe)

" Relationships and Sexuality Programme (R.S.E.)

" Walk Tall Programme (S.M.P.P.)

" The Children First Guidelines

The P.C.S.P. whole School Plan is available on a shared Resource file in both the Secretaries Office and the Principals Office. Each teacher is responsible for his/her long term and short term planning comprising of a yearly and fortnightly scheme of work. A Cuntas Miosuil is retained in the Principals Office.

School/Community Links

The school is involved in:-

" Athletics and Basketball inter-school competitions.

" Cumann na mBunscoil - football, hurling and camogie.

" Choir for First Communion and choir for Confirmation every third year.

" G.A.A. Indoor Hurling.

Evaluation

" Teacher observation.

" Inventory of what needs to be changed.

" Ensuring all strands is covered.

" Teacher designed tasks and tests and self-evaluation.

" Community feedback.

Roles and Responsibilities

The whole school community of B.O.M., staff, pupils and parents play a key role in the formulation and implementation of the plan.